What to do if you’ve booked with Flybe: Will I get a refund? What is happening to my flight? How to get compensation – all your questions answered
- Regional carrier Flybe has cancelled all flights into and out of the UK
- 75,000 passengers have been impacted and 277 staff lost their jobs
- Read More: Budget airline goes into administration
Regional carrier Flybe today revealed it had suspended all operations and fallen into administration.
Travel plans for 75,000 passengers have been plunged into chaos, while devastated staff learned they’d lost their jobs in the early hours this morning.
Customers were able to book flights and pay additional fees for luggage just six hours before the announcement was made.
Here, MailOnline answers some of the burning questions in the aftermath of the administration announcement.
Regional carrier Flybe has cancelled all flights into and out of the UK this morning – sparking travel misery for passengers as the airline is plunged into administration
All Flybe flights have been grounded immediately, and will not be rescheduled.
Today, a Flybe spokesperson and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said would-be travellers should not make their way to the airport if they have a flight scheduled.
‘Please do not travel to the airport unless you have arranged an alternative flight with another airline,’ the spokesperson said.
The airline will not arrange alternative flights or travel plans for impacted passengers.
However, if flights have been booked through a third party or a travel agent, it is worth contacting them directly.
Will I get a refund?
Some insurance policies should cover for refunds, however it does depend n the protection taken out.
Passengers who paid for their tickets on a credit or debit card and booked direct with the airline may also find it easier to secure a refund.
Flybe has not yet released any details surrounding refunds, and the nature of the closure indicates there may not be any money left to offer.
Customers already awaiting refunds from previously cancelled flights have reported struggling to get in contact with the airline.
If tickets cost £100 or less, passengers should attempt to use chargeback to recuperate funds.
Today, a Flybe spokesperson and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said would-be travellers should not make their way to the airport if they have a flight scheduled
Am I entitled to compensation?
The government is unlikely to step in to offer compensation because most Flybe flights are not ATOL protected.
Flybe has not announced any compensation packages to the 75,000 impacted passengers.
If insured, customers should contact their insurer.
Will I need to book a new flight?
British Airways is offering discounted flights for impacted Flybe customers.
The airline said in a statement: ‘Following the suspension of services, we’re supporting affected customers by offering discounted one-way fares of £50/€60 plus taxes, fees and charges, including hold luggage of 23kgs on selected routes.’
Matthew Hall, chief executive of Belfast City Airport, said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with Flybe employees and passengers affected by this disappointing and unexpected news.
‘Passengers booked on Flybe flights should not travel to the airport and should seek further advice from the Civil Aviation Authority.
‘Flybe operated 10 flights to and from Belfast City, eight of which are currently served by other carriers from our airport.’
And LoganAir said in a statement: ‘The collapse once more of Flybe is a sad day for the industry, adversely impacting their staff, who will lose their jobs, and customers.
‘Our Manchester to Newquay service will relaunch 10 Feb and we would encourage customers to book early to avoid any disappointment.’
British Airways is offering discounted flights for impacted Flybe customers
How did this happen?
The announcement comes after Flybe returned to the skies in April following an earlier collapse.
The airline first announced it would cease in March 2020, costing 2,400 employees their jobs as the Covid pandemic ravaged the tourism sector.
It returned with a plan to operate up to 530 flights per week across 23 routes, serving airports such as Belfast City, Birmingham, East Midlands, Glasgow, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford.
A spokesperson for the insolvency firm confirmed to MailOnline that customers were able to book flights and services as late as 11pm last night – just four hours before joint administrators were appointed.
The spokesperson defended this situation, while acknowledging customers would no doubt ‘feel angry and frustrated about this’.
‘Unfortunately, this is a conundrum faced by many businesses faced with possible insolvency,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Due to the ongoing discussions that were taking place with interested parties regarding a potential sale of the business, it was not possible to inform customers of the potential insolvency proceedings before the appointment of administrators.
‘Any announcement about the possibility that the sales process might not ultimately be successful and thus imply the potential for insolvency proceedings would have been both premature and, unavoidably, self-fulfilling. Making such a statement would also have irreparably harmed trading and risked exposing the fleet to arrest by creditors.’
For further information customers are advised to contact [email protected]
Source: Read Full Article